FSU College of Law Black Alumni Network Annual Report 2021-2022 by prymelelements

OutlooK FSU COLLEGE OF LAW BLACK ALUMNI NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2021-2022

CONTINUING THE TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

OUR MISSION The Florida State University College of Law Black Alumni Network (the “Network”) empowers and supports the Black students, alumni, faculty, and staff of the Florida State University College of Law (the “College of Law”) in order to assist those individuals and the College of Law as a whole in achieving their full potential. OUR VISION The Network envisions a College of Law on the forefront of addressing the historic marginalization of Black people, including their historical underrepresentation in the practice of law, through targeted support of Black students, alumni, faculty, and staff of the College of Law. OUR GOALS Facilitate a name change for the College of Law to a name that respects the historical contributions of Black people to the College of Law’s success and represents the College of Law’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. To provide direct support to Black students, alumni, faculty, and staff of the College of Law through recruitment, scholarships, hiring, and retention. To increase networking and idea-sharing among Black students, alumni, faculty, and staff at the College of Law. To directly support the College of Law in its efforts to positively affect the foregoing goals. OUR HISTORY The FSU College of Law Black Alumni Network (BAN) was created, in partnership with the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, to address the impact of systemic racism on the matriculation of Black law students, the marginalization of Black lawyers, and the historic underrepresentation of Black people in the practice of law. Jasmyne Henderson ('15), a Black Alumni Network co-founder, recognized the individual efforts of a growing group of law school alumni to address these issues and urged the law school to form the Black Alumni Network. Henderson, along with co-founders Salesia Smith-Gordon ('92) and Kareem J. Spratling ('06), agreed that the network should be formed to help Black alumni coalesce resources, connect networks and share ideas. To this end, the co-founders and charter members formalized BAN in December 2020 around the ideals of achievement, equity, and equality with the goals of establishing an organization that can continue to address the unique challenges of our professional pipeline, bring valued support to the College of Law’s students and faculty, and support Black Alumni Network members in their efforts to bring change to their communities.

THE 2021-2022 BOARD

Salesia Smith-Gordon (’92) President

Jasmyne Henderson (’15) General Counsel Governmental Affairs & Networking Co-Chair

Glenda Thornton ('89) Faculty LiaIson

FOUNDING MEMBERS Salesia Smith-Gordon (’92) Kareem J. Spratling (’06) Jasmyne Henderson (’15)

Thank you to our inaugural executive board and committee members for your commitment and dedication to the FSU College of Law Black Alumni Network! We thank you for your service.

Conti Smith (’07) President-Elect

Marlon Hill ('95) Communications Chair & Mentorship

Alicia Dixon (’10) Secretary

G.C. Murray II ('12) Bylaws/Corporate Governance & Membership Development/Recruitment

Lauren Rolfe BLSA President & Student Liaison

CHARTER MEMBERS Rosalyn “Sia” Baker-Barnes (’00) Curt Bender (‘18) Anika Boyce (’16) Earnest DeLoach, Jr. (’99) Alicia Dixon (’10) A. Mireille Fall-Fry (’04)

Kenneth D. Pratt (’99) Treasurer & Fund Development Officer

Sean Pittman ('94) Governmental Affairs Co-Chair

Hon. Anthony Miller ('00) Judicial Co-Chair

Hon. Stephen Stokes ('91) Judicial Co-Chair

CHARTER MEMBERS Josiah Graham (’14) Jasmyne Henderson (’15) Marlon Hill (’95) Adrian Mood, Jr. (’13) G.C. Murray, II (’12) Sean Pittman (’94)

CHARTER MEMBERS Kenneth Pratt (’99) Jennito Simon (’13) Conti Smith (’07) Salesia Smith-Gordon (’92) Kareem J. Spratling (’06) Daniel Vogt (’84)

SEASONS OF LOVE – Continuing the Tradition of Excellence A Year in Review by Outgoing FSU COL BAN President Salesia Smith-Gordon, Esq. “Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred (525,600) minutes, Five Hundred Twenty-five thousand moments, so dear. How do you measure, measure a year?” A Year in My Life As BAN President: It has been an honor and privilege to serve this year as a cofounder and inaugural president of the FSU College of Law Black Alumni Network (BAN). We are the first university-based black law alumni network in Florida. Despite COVID-19 woes, inflation, mass shootings, and the civil and constitutional rights of our democracy hanging on the precipice of destruction, we continue to fight to balance the scales of life and justice. BAN has worked to lessen feelings of marginalization and inequities while reaching toward each other (and the College) for inclusion, professional consideration, and personal support. ACTIVITIES ACCOMPLISHED: The removal of B.K. Robert’s name from the law school building, launch of BAN-TV see the many exciting interviews; launch of BAN Outlook News, bolstering the recruitment and hiring of Black faculty and staff; Continuing Education courses. We have also held several special speaker sessions, a Black History Month celebration; active participation with the FSU Black Law Students Association (BLSA) and their successful Moot Court and Mock Trial victories; launch of the BAN Foundation Fund for programming related to the College of Law’s Black students, faculty and staff and The Salesia Smith-Gordon Endowment of $200,000 established for BLSA scholarships.

Perhaps most rewarding are the relationships forged with the Executive Board and leadership of the College of Law. Within the pages of this NewsMag, let’s take a journey of our year. BAN is open to all FSU Law alumni who share the organization’s vision and mission. Thank you for putting your trust in our leadership. As I hand the reins to Conti Moore Smith (’01), I ask that you continue to support BAN’s endeavors. We are over 624 Black law alumni-strong with much to share and much more to accomplish together. Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes, how do you measure the life of BAN? Support and celebrate our journeys while remembering a year in the life of friends through Seasons of Love!

Salesia Smith-Gordon Co-Founder and FSU COL BAN Inaugural President

A LOOK BACK AT 2021-2022 2021-2022 saw many firsts and succsses for our alumni. In the following pages we look back at some of these major accomplishments and celebrate our proudest moments!

A LOOK BACK

SEPTEMBER 2021: BAN LAUNCHES MAGAZINE In September 2021, BAN launched its inaugural newsletter and magazine, Outlook. The publication was meant to highlight the stories and successes of our alumni while bringing inspiration and hope. We launched a digital version of the publication and have subsequently created monthly newsletters to tell the story of our alumni members.View the inaugural issue to look back at where we started!

VIEW THE INAUGURAL ISSUE READ IT NOW

A LOOK BACK

NOVEMBER 2021: LUNCH WITH DESMOND MEADE In November 2021 FSU COL BAN had the privilege of hosting a virtual chat with Desmond Meade! Recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2019, Desmond Meade is a civil rights advocate and President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. He led the effort to pass Amendment 4 and restore voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions. An author and sought-after speaker, Desmond went from homeless to advocate taking his obstacles and using them to fuel his mission. Learn more about Desmond on his website.

WATCH THE REPLAY! WATCH NOW

A LOOK BACK

RENAMING B.K. ROBERTS HALL For the last few years, FSU alumni like Danni Vogt have been using their voices and influence to aid in the renaming of B.K. Roberts Hall. Unfortunately, the Florida legislature ended its 2022 session without passing the bill that would have opened the door to renaming B.K. Roberts Hall at FSU's College of Law. Senate Bill 1858, filed in January by Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Ocoee, would have repealed the 1973 law (73-370) that named the building after Roberts.

WATCH THE NEWS STORY WTXL: FSU College of Law BK Roberts Name Update

It was referred to the Senate Education Committee on January 12 but was never set for a hearing and the measure died in committee when the legislative session ended. The Education Committee is headed by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, who is also chair of the Florida Republican Party. Expectations were not high this year since the composition of the legislature was essentially the same as in 2021 when the bill also failed to advance due to a lack of support from the leadership. Even some long-time backers were less enthusiastic this year given the long odds; many felt that it was insanity to keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. After three years of futility trying to pass a stand-alone bill, a new strategy to add an amendment to an existing education bill did not work either. The climate next year is expected to be more favorable with new leadership in the House and Senate taking over in 2023 coupled with the probable changes to some of the senators and representatives in the fall. While the building is still officially designated B.K. Roberts Hall, FSU removed the lettering from the side of the building identifying it as such last summer. Roberts was instrumental in founding the law school in the 1960s, leading the legislature to put his name on the building, despite several opinions Roberts wrote in the 1950s as Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court that prevented blacks from enrolling at state universities (even after the US Supreme Court had ordered Florida to admit them). For the whole story, visit https://www.renamebkrobertshallnow.org/.

FSU Alumni, Danni Vogt, Esq. '84

A LOOK BACK

BAN-TV LAUNCHES WITH MARLON HILL, ESQ. AS HOST In the Fall of 2021, BAN launched a television show to highlight alumni stories. Marlon Hill ('95), who oversaw communications and mentorship for the organization, served as the host. BAN-Tv interviewed very notable guests including Justice Peggy Quince, Nicky Boothe, Lois Frankel, U.S. Congresswoman, Attorney Sheila McCormick, and National Bar Association President Hon. Carlos Moore, and BAN President Salesia Smith-Gordon, Esq. Attorneys and alumni Ben Crump, Daryl Parks, and Sean Pittman sat down with Marlon to discuss the strength of Black Brotherhood during Black History Month. Click the button below to see all of the previous episodes.

CATCH UP ON PREVIOUS EPISODES! WATCH NOW

A LOOK BACK

Pictured in this Photo from Left to Right: Attorneys Sean Pittman, Ben Crump, Daryl Parks

FEBRUARY 2022: WE CELEBRATED OUR HISTORY During Black History Month we paid tribute to the generations of African Americans throughout U.S. history. Black History Month also allowed the FSU College of Law (FSU COL) Black Alumni Network to celebrate our stories and our legacies. We highlighted the iron-clad bonds of friendship of three phenomenal and influential Black Alumni Network (BAN) members: Attorneys Ben Crump (‘95), Daryl Parks, (‘95), and Sean Pittman ('94), who are masters of networking and advocacy. We honored Congressman John Lewis’s legacy in demystifying the Voting Rights Advancement Act. We recognized our BAN judiciary and spotlighted BAN Judicial Chair, the Honorable Stephen Stokes (’91). Watch the replays of "The Strength of Black Brotherhood" and "Demystifying John Lewis' Voting Rights Advancement Act" on BAN-Tv on demand by clicking on the buttons below.

WATCH THE REPLAY! WATCH NOW

All Rise MEET THE BLACK JUDICIARY & FSU ALUMNI INFLUENCING THE SYSTEM

A LOOK BACK

FEBRUARY 2022: CELEBRATING BLACK EXCELLENCE During th emonth of February, we spotlighted all of the alumni who creating impact on the bench. For many if not most people, encounters with judges are not their most pleasant day. However, we BAN members are extremely proud of our jurist leaders as they deliver justice from the bench and lead active lives within the communities they serve. Retired Broward County Circuit Judge Zebedee Wright was the first Black to enter FSUCOL and the first to graduate in 1971. In 1974, the first Black woman to graduate FSUCOL was Palm Beach County Circuit Court Judge Catherine Brunson. These BAN members are truly trailblazers and I do not use that word lightly. Being the first of anything is rough. But being the first black in an environment where you are not warmly welcomed, and you succeed in spite of the challenges is remarkable. Below is a list of all of the black judges who are alumni of the FSUCOL and shown above in alphabetical order as listed here.

BAN ALUMNI MAKING A DIFFERENCE ON THE BENCH Augustus D. Aikens, Jr. ’74 – Leon County Court Judge

Carlos Moore, ’02 – Municipal Judge Clarksdale, Missouri

Faye L. Allen, ’90 – Orange County Court Judge

Errol H. Powell, ’78 – Ret. FL State Administrative Law

Michael F. Andrews, ’91 – Pasco & Pinellas Counties Circuit Court Judge

Debra Roberts, ’85 – Pasco County Court Judge

Catherine M. Brunson, ’74 – Ret. Palm Beach County Circuit Judge

Mary S. Scriven, ’87 – Middle District of Florida Magistrate

Nikki A. Clark, ’77 – Leon County Circuit Judge & FL 1st District Court of Appeal

Elijah Smiley, ’85 – Bay County Circuit Court Judge

W. James Condry, Jr., ’83 – Orange, Seminole, Lake & Osceola Counties Workers

Kerra A. Smith, ‘06 – Escambia County Judge

Compensation Claims Judge

Julie S. Sneed, ’94 – District Court for the Middle District of FL Federal Judge

Jessica G. Costello, ’09 – Hillsborough County Judge

Matthew Stevenson, ’78 – Ret. 4th District Court of Appeals Chief Justice

Zina Cruse, ‘ 93 – St. Clair County, Illinois Circuit Judge

Stephen Stokes, ’91 – District Court Judge, Fayetteville, NC.

Henry E. Davis, ’76 – ret. Duval County Circuit Judge

Emerson R. Thompson, Jr. ’73 – Ret. Orange County & Circuit Judge & 5th District Court of Appeals

Judith W. Hawkins, ’84 – Ret. Leon County Court Judge

Charles L. Webb, ’95 – Dekalb County Pro Hac Judge (North District of Georgia)

Barbara K. Hobbs, ’81 – Leon County Circuit Court Judge

Zebedee W. Wright, ’71 – Ret. Broward County Circuit Judge

Joseph Lewis, Jr., 77 – FL 1st District Court of Appeals Judge Anthony B. Miller, ’00 – Leon County Circuit Court Judge Carlos Moore, ’02 – Municipal Judge Clarksdale, Missouri Errol H. Powell, ’78 – Ret. FL State Administrative Law

A LOOK BACK

Photo L-R: Destinie Baker-Sutton, Esq.; Sandra Powery-Moses; Judge Sheree Davis-Cunningham; PBC Circuit Judge Bradley Harper; Sia Baker-Barnes, Esq. and Salesia Smith-Gordon, Esq.

MARCH 2022: HONORING OUR WOMEN During the month of March, we focused on celebrating the wonderful women lawyers of the FSU College of Law Black Alumni Network. We also paid tribute to the steps taken and legacies left of women who opened doors and propelled us towards our desired end. We looked at why some dreams may become deferred or denied leaving our women to experience hopelessness and depression while charting a path toward our hopes of success in our careers and in life. We witnessed and celebrated several "firsts" this month as Ketanji Brown Jackson became the first Black woman nominated for appointment to the United States Supreme Court, and organizations like the Palm Beach County Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers Association were launched by BAN board member, Sia Baker Barnes. Incoming President Conti Moore's journey was highlighted in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Fortune Magazines as she discussed how embracing technology helped her grow her firm and focus on her clients. Click the links below to watch BAN-Tv interview with Retired Justice Peggy Quince.

WATCH THE REPLAYS! WATCH NOW

MARCH 2022: FSU DAY AT THE CAPITOL During the month of March, FSU Alumni converged in Tallahassee for FSU Day at The Capitol. FSU Day gives the university's colleges and academic departments the opportunity to showcase their achievements and the university's significant contributions to the state through informative displays set up on the first three floors of the Capitol. FSU Civic Engagement Day was also held this month where various alumni organizations and non-profits gathered in the law school rotunda. This day embraced student achievement and welcomed student engagement during and post-law school graduation. BLSA and BAN members, including President, Salesia Smith-Gordon, Sean Pittman, and Glenda Thorton, attended these events throughout the month.

Pictured in this photo from Left to Right: Lawrence Hodz, Vivian Hodz, Kevin Brick, Sean Pittman, Autumn Beck Blackledge, Alisia Adamson Profit, Ryan Cappy, Sasha Watson, and Jo-Anna Nieves.

NOTES AND NOTABLES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR A highlight of successes and announcements from alumni around the country making change and impact one opportunity at a time.

CLASS NOTES

Pictured in this photo from Left to Right: Lawrence Hodz, Vivian Hodz, Kevin Brick, Sean Pittman, Autumn Beck Blackledge, Alisia Adamson Profit, Ryan Cappy, Sasha Watson, and Jo-Anna Nieves.

CLASS NOTES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR Sia Baker-Barnes, ‘00 key lecturer at Florida Justice Association’s Al J. Cone Trial Advocacy Institute on “The 10 Commandments of Cross-Examining Expert Witness.” G.C. Murray, II’12 was selected as the 2021 Lynn B. Futch Most Productive Young Lawyer by the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division. Jasmyne Henderson, ’15 opens office in Orlando, FL to expand the Pittman Law Group, which concentrates on government affairs. Salesia Smith-Gordon, ’92 moderated Palm Beach County’s Townhall Discussion on Senate Bill-90 Voting. Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Female Lawyers Association Launched by BAN Members Kareem J. Spratling, '06 elected as Managing Shareholder of BMO’s Tampa office Palm Beach County Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Women’s Lawyer Association: FSUCOL-BAN board members make history during Black History Month with the launch of the Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers Association inducted by Florida’s first and only Black woman Supreme Court Justice, Peggy Quince. Read more in the Florida Bar News story.

Tequisha Myles, Esq. ‘03 supervising attorney at Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County and former president of Cunningham Bar received the President’s Award for her years of outstanding service to the F. Malcolm Cunningham Bar Association. Tequisha was also featured in VoyageMIA Magazine.

FSU BAN Alumna Joseline Jean-Luis Hardrick publishes children's book.

CLASS NOTES

Pictured in this photo from Left to Right: Lawrence Hodz, Vivian Hodz, Kevin Brick, Sean Pittman, Autumn Beck Blackledge, Alisia Adamson Profit, Ryan Cappy, Sasha Watson, and Jo-Anna Nieves.

CLASS NOTES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR Sean Pittman, Esq. '94 honored with Joe Lang Kershaw Award from the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators. Read the story in the Tallahassee Democrat. Salesia Smith-Gordon '92 honored for Zeta Tau Omega Chapter, community, state, and national leadership by the South Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated for 2022 Legislative Action Leadership Education Advocacy & Decision (LEAD) Award during Florida's AKA Day at the Capitol. GC Murry, Esq. '12 Managing Attorney of Association GC, earned a certification in executive coaching and launched www.CoachGC.law to provide executive coaching services for professionals. G.C. was recognized by Florida Bar President Michael Tanner for "Meritorious Public Service" for his work on the Second Circuit UPL Committee. Carlos Moore, Esq., '02 received the Spirit of Excellence Award from the American Bar Association as the National Bar Association President Samuel Gilot coached an FSU Law Black Law Students Mock Trial team to a national championship. Attorney Gilot also recently began working as an Associate at Berger Singerman in the Tallahassee office to bolster the firm's complex commercial litigation, construction, real estate, and insurance practices.

Sia Baker-Barnes, shareholder at Searcy Denny serves on the executive committee and chairs the firm's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. Jeraldine Williams discovers Great Great Grandmother's grave and memorializes her during Black History Month: It was "personal" when Tampa Bay Attorney Jeraldine Williams, JD '01, organized a memorial for Anna Wyche, who was born a slave in 1839 and was buried in 1912, at Tampa's Zion Cemetery. Jean-Louis Hardrick, Esq., '09 has authored and published a children's book "All Rise At the Courthouse" and has a Read-ALoud Video which can be purchased on Amazon. Jean also recently published an article in the ABA Journal, "How To Respond To You Don't Look Like A Lawyer." Patricia Dawson, Esq., '93 appointed to Chair of the Florida Bar Continue Legal Education Committee for a second term. Conti Moore '00 of Conti Moore Law and president-elect of BAN recently purchased a Downtown Orlando commercial building located at 815 North Magnolia Avenue to expand her family law firm and community presence. BAN President Salesia Smith-Gordon, Esq. served as judge of the National Black Law Student Association Moot Court Competition March 2022

CLASS NOTES

CLASS NOTES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR Sean Pittman, Alisia Adamson Profit, and Sasha Watson join 20 College of Law Alumni among this year's Seminole 100 Honorees. Salesia Smith-Gordon, Esq., '92 attended the BLSA Oath of Office Ceremony earlier this month where she performed the swearing-in for the incoming leadership of the FSU College of Law Black Law Student Association. Sia Baker Barnes, ’00 received the Florida Bar Association’s Judge Henry Latimer Inclusion Award which honors individuals whose career in law exemplifies scholarship, honesty, kindness, service, and leadership. Judge Stephen Stokes is re-elected as judge for Fayetteville, NC District Court. Judge Anthony Thomas wins re-election to retain his seat on the Leon County Circuit Court without opposition Attorney Ben Crump debuted Netflix Documentary called "Civil" in June Salesia Smith-Gordon, Esq. joins Law and Crime Network TV as a legal analyst and breaks diversity barriers by earning Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator designation.

Ben Crump's documentary "Civil" aired on Netflix this June

NOTES AND NOTABLES

FORMER NBA PRESIDENT FRED GRAY TO RECEIVES PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM Award Spearheaded by FSU Alumni and National Bar President Carlos Moore On Thursday, July 7, National Bar Association Past President, Fred Gray received the nation's highest civilian honor: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This award has been a long time coming for the attorney and civil rights activist. Gray is an Alabama native and a global icon for Black American jurists, lawyers, and law students. He is a gem in the legal arena, an unsung hero who has been the driver of some of this country's most significant court decisions impacting the lives of Black Americans and other underserved communities. This remarkable leader embodies the democratic values on which this country was founded—values that have led to the election of this country's first minority woman vice president and its first Black woman confirmed for the US Supreme Court, among other historical considerations. Mr. Gray's almost unfathomable work and historic achievements span nearly 70 years. Before he represented Rosa Parks in 1955, he represented Claudette Colvin, the 15-year-old student who, in 1954, was the first Black female to refuse to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. He was the lawyer for the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and legal counsel for the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study victims in 1972. He was summarily victorious in numerous cases that now are part of the lynchpin connecting justice and fairness to the lives of Black Americans in this country. The above is an excerpt from a letter by current NBA President and FSU Law Alumni, Carlos Moore. The letter was sent to U.S. President Joe Biden on March 19, 2022, requesting that Fred Gray be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. "This great honor has been ushered through by thousands of supporters from the legal and broader communities across the country, especially by our esteemed past presidents of the National Bar Association," Moore said. "With unwavering support, we petitioned President Biden to encourage his attention to Past President Gray's unparalleled contributions to the legal and civil rights realm and to award Fred Gray the Presidential Medal of Freedom." Gray received the medal at the White House. Gray was among 17 other recipients including Olympian Simone Biles, and award-winning Actor Denzel Washington.

NOTES AND NOTABLES

Pictured in this Photo: Sean Pittman and Daryl Park. Parks and Pittman embrace after Pittman presents the Trialblazer Award to his long time friend, Attorney Daryl Parks.

FSU BAN ALUMNI CONTINUE TO TAKE THE WORLD BY STORM WITH MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS During the summer, BAN members continued in the tradition of excellence through service and by winning several awards. BAN President Salesia Smith-Gordon will receive the FSU College of Law Alumni Association Service Award on Sept. 15, 2022, which recognizes an FSU law graduate who has rendered distinguished service to our College of Law over an extended period of time. Salesia is a major donor to the law school, having established the Salesia V. Smith-Gordon Endowment to support the activities of the College of Law’s Black Law Students. Several years ago, the law school named a faulty office in her honor, the Salesia V. Smith-Gordon Faculty Office. The endowment, valued at $200,000, is Smith-Gordon's way of paying it forward for the next generation, she said of the gift. Executive board member Sia Baker Barnes was honored with two distinguished awards at the 2022 Florida Bar Conference. Read more about her accomplishments on the Florida Bar's website. She also received one of the highest honors from the Florida Bar - the Henry T. Latimer Diversity and Inclusion award - for her work in promoting and supporting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and in our community. Sia makes a positive difference and impacts every facet of her life. A talented and smart lawyer, she is also a community activist, mentor, and inspiration to everyone around her. We also congratulate BAN Board Members Judge Steven Stokes '91 for his re-election to the bench (District Court, Fayetteville, NC) and Judge Anthony Miller (Circuit Court Leon County, FL) for maintaining his appointed seat without opposition.

A look back at where we landed as an organization, alumni, and faculty of the FSU College of Law

BY THE NUMBERS

FSU COLLEGE OF LAW GROWTH BY THE NUMBERS Part of our initiative is to provide direct support to Black students, alumni, faculty, and staff of the College of Law through recruitment, scholarships, hiring and retention. In this section we highlight how we've done over the last year.

GRADUATING CLASS

TOTAL NO. OF GRADUATES

TOTAL BLACK GRADUATES

Class of 2021

218

Class of 2022

216

MEET THE FACULTY

JODY ARMOUR

TRISTIN BROWN

TIA GIBBS

DAYNICA HARLEY

TISHA HOLMES

JONATHAN OSBOURNE

T.J. PERCELL

KARUSHA SHARPE

JENNA STAFFORD

CHARQUIA WRIGHT

FACULTY BY THE NUMBERS TYPE

TOTAL NO. HIRED

Black Staff Hired

Black Faculty Hired

Black Visiting Professors

On the following pages we provide a list and positions of all the faculty, staff and visiting faculty who graced the halls of the Law School.

FACULTY Daynica Harley ’21, hired as Clinical Professor and Visiting Fellow in August 2021 (is continuing on for 2022-2023 academic year) Karusha Sharpe ’01, hired as Legal Writing Professor in August 2021 (promoted to Assistant Dean for Academic Programs on 5/13/22) Charquia Wright hired as Assistant Professor for 2022-23 (just moved to town; began summer research appointment 5/9/22) Tisha Holmes, Assistant Professor in the FSU Department of Urban & Regional Planning, has been recommended as a Courtesy Professor of Law for the Environmental Law Certificate program STAFF Melissa Alcime, hired in February 2022 as Student Support Assistant for Juris Master Program Shamya Bennett, hired in May 2021 as Dean’s Office Assistant (also filled in as law school events coordinator from August 2021-April 2022) Mia Campbell, hired in August 2021 as Academic Support Assistant in Student Advancement Office Tia Gibbs, hired in December 2021 as Director of Bar Success (teaching Professional Responsibility this Summer, and Applied Legal Concepts this Fall) T.J. Percell ’21, hired in September 2021 to assist Admissions Office, promoted 5/13/22 to Marketing & Technology Coordinator for Stoops Center Jenna Stafford, hired in January 2022 as Multicultural Admissions Officer Christina Stokes, hired in April 2022 as Admissions Assistant (front desk)

VISITING PROFESSORS Spring 2021 Erica Bartimmo – Discovery Skills (also teaches for JM program) Celeste Gaines – Contract Drafting Salomon Laguerre – Employment Discrimination Law Jasmine Rand (w/ Ben Crump) – Lawyering a Movement: #JUSTICEFORGEORGEFLOYD Fall 2021 Paul M. Aloise, Jr. – Trial Practice (also coaches for Trial Team) Jody Armour – Visiting Professor, and Tobias Simon Eminent Scholar: Race Ipsa Loquitur: Race Law Language & the Performing Arts Spring 2022 Erica Bartimmo – Discovery Skills Tristin Brown – Bias Law & Policy (added to Juris Master faculty) Bernard Williams – Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering Jonathan Osborne – Cybersecurity Breach Response Fall 2022 adjunct/visiting professor hires are currently in progress

FSU BLSA CORNER

FSU BLSA IS LEADING THE WAY From standout networking events to winning national competitions, the FSU Black Law Student Association had an amazing year. With the help of FSU BAN Alumni, the organization won first place in the National Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition. The competition took place virtually March 17-18, and BLSA was undefeated throughout the event. Sixteen law school teams participated in the competition, including teams from the University of Maryland and Texas A&M University, which FSU BLSA beat in the final round. The Winning team members included 3L Judelande Jeune, 2L Kayla Neal, 3L Nyah Tennell, and 2L Khamisi Thorpe. The team was coached by Florida State law alumna C. Erica White (’01), who is general counsel at the Office of the State Courts Administrator. In addition to winning the national championship, Thorpe was named the competition’s Best Advocate for the Prosecution, and Tennell was honored as Best Advocate for the Defense.

MEET THE BAN MEMBERS WHO LED THE TEAM TO VICTORY

C. Erica White, ’01 Mock Trial Coach

Janeia Ingram Moot Court Team Coach

Aqueelah Mitchell, '17 Moot Court Team Coach

Matletha Fuller Bennett, ‘16 Derrick McBurrows, ’16 Moot Court Team Coach Mock Trial Team Coach

Call for Submissions: Interested in submitting something for the upcoming newsletter? Email us at fsucol.ban@gmail.com